The crew of "Promised Land," the upcoming Focus Features drama starring Matt Damon, directed by Gus Van Sant and produced by Chris Moore — who previously collaborated on 1997's Oscar-winning "Good Will Hunting" — is using Worthington as a production hub while filming in the area this week.

Publicist James Ferrera said the unit will be in town six days.

"I can't say specific locations because they're private property," he said. "But there are five locations total."

The film, which was written by Damon, co-star John Krasinski ("Jim" from NBC's "The Office") and author Dave Eggers ("A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius"), is said to be a Capra-esque tale of a corporate sales executive (Damon) who visits a rural town to purchase land-drilling rights from locals. He instead finds a rival in the form of a grassroots organizer (Krasinski) and begins to question the life he's chosen. The movie stars Oscar winner Frances McDormand ("Fargo") and Oscar nominee Hal Holbrook ("Into The Wild").

John Adkins, location manager for "Promised Land," said West Franklin's rural look brought the production to town.

"The Worthington area suited us creatively," said Adkins. "It's absolutely beautiful, rolling farmland."

Moore told the Tribune-Review he's long wanted to film in the region.

"The area of Western Pennsylvania is so diverse — rural, mountains, hills, city," he said. "Pretty much anything except beaches."

This, of course, is nothing new to residents, who have seen a recent resurgence in entertainment industry interest. In addition to filming for "The Dark Knight Rises" and Tom Cruise's "One Shot" in Pittsburgh, three documentary-style television shows have been scouting locations in and around Armstrong County: The History Channel's "American Pickers," a similarly planned show for an unannounced network and the Discovery Channel's upcoming prime-time special "Human Test."

Filming for "Promised Land" kicked off last week and is expected to remain in the region at least through early June. Those hoping to act as extras can submit a photo along with their height, weight, age, clothing sizes and phone number to promisedlandextras@gmail.com.

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